Kids with painted faces could be seen running around fair grounds, children’s parties and carnivals. Nowadays, face painting is becoming so popular and it’s almost always that you see face painting booths in every event. Face painting has been gaining ground the past couple of years and kids have been more than happy to close their eyes and sit still all in the name of having their face painted. Face painting started way back the early days of our ancestors and it’s not a newly introduced activity. Face painting had different significant uses before: warriors and ancient tribes used it either for religious purposes, as camouflage or to separate one tribe from the other. The Chinese, Native Americans and Egyptians are only some examples of people who used face painting early on.
Warriors who paint their faces did it whenever they went out face enemies or to go to war. It was also used to intimidate their enemies or make them tremble in fear. Face painting were also used by some tribes to distinguish themselves from other tribes. Depending on the design and colors, the paintings on their faces imposed different meanings. The color red stood for war, White was associated with peace, when black was used it meant they were preparing to go to war.
Face painting was also used by some tribes as camouflage for hunting and for going into battle. They would also use paint from a natural source and design their face or sometimes, even their body with the same color as the surroundings. This would help them hide from their enemies or secretly sneak up on animals they were hunting. Even in religious purposes, ceremonies, and rituals, face painting is being used too. There were tribes who believed that it meant powers when you wear certain colors of face paint.
Other than being a fun activity for kids during parties and in fairs and carnivals, face painting also has a very colorful history. The history of face painting is rooted on power, tribes and spiritual beliefs- very far from how we use it today. Face painting invokes no harm in children but it would be much better if you could also explain to them the history of face painting.
